HTC-Highroad disbands after failed sponsor search

[RecordAceFromNew]

So we have seen tha last of the htc train in Tdf....

Do people think GreenEdge is a possible instant home to the guys and infrastructure? They are said to want to build up a team of 15 riders with 75% or 10 Australians. I would have thought Renshaw and Goss would have been targets straight away. Adding Cav, Eisle and Martin, and perhaps Bak and Pate they would have an instant Tour winner!

Of courrse that does depend on where Evans is going and what his aspiration is at 35.

Stapleton said one of the challenges he face has been that some superteams (like Sky) coming in with Euros 20m+ budget while he has to compete on a medium budget (around Euros 10m I think). Htc highroad has been quite a big (35+ strong) team of course, so perhaps a smaller, more focused team can better afford to paying riders more to compete with the superteams.

 

[wildjetskier]

Unbelievable thats how I see it, as a previous poster, a team this successful and with this much airtime and coverage, would not have happened in any other sport, well table tennis maybe.

 

[rich p]

As SJ said, HTC had probably got all they could in terms of publicity. It certainly raised the profile of HTC mobile phones amongst the cycling fraternity but thats a tiny demographic to a global player like them.

There's a possibility that a new sponsor pulled out because had signed elsewhere already so the headline act had gone but who amongst us would turn down a reputed annual salary of £2.5m when you've been arguing the toss with Stapleton for a pay rise from £600k for 2 years?

 

[thehairycycler]

it was watching this years tour and the HTC team that got me increasingly into cycling I'm gutted that this has happend. I just bought there top haha should I keep it good and make a fortune on it in the future?

 

[NickM]

The best team for getting the timing 'Just Right'...

...well, since the Super Confex Boys of the 1980s, anyway.

And now their record will remain intact and there will never be any decline in their performance, so it's not all bad.

 

[Chris.IOW]

Of courrse that does depend on where Evans is going and what his aspiration is at 35.

I seen to recall reading he had signed to stay at BMC.

 

[Willo]

Shame not to see the htc chain again. While it seems crazy, knowing htc were pulling out, the top riders had prob positioned themselves for other teams leaving no attraction for a new sponsor.

 

[Ludwig]

Its very sad and they produced some brilliant kits but teams have always come and gone. Classic teams such as PDM, Reynolds, Super U,Panasonic, Z Peugeot and Credit Agricole sadly have disappeared. I dae say that the new teams will emerge from the middle east, China or India and racing will shift to these parts of the globe where the new money is.

 

[dellzeqq]

HTC were the nearest thing to the Peter Post teams of the 1980s (without the 'assistance').

But, as above, they all go - better to go out on a high than in the kind of acrimony that marked the end of La Vic Claire. If Cavendish chooses well, he'll win a lot more stages yet.

 

[DaveC]

I imagine it's part of the backlash of that US Postal grand jury investigation. What a waste of time and money.

 

[gb155]

Just read, Renshaw to Rabbobank !

 

[Midnight]

Great shame. The HTC train in full flight was a sight to behold.

... poetry in motion.
It's hard to imagine watching Le Tour and not seeing those nine white and Yellow shirts all line astern dragging the pelaton along.

 

[Cheddar George]

Just read, Renshaw to Rabbobank !

now it gets really interesting.